Pablo Escobar’s Cocaine Hippos: A Lasting Legacy

The Colombian government has authorized a plan to cull up to 80 free-roaming hippopotamuses that have become an invasive species threatening local ecosystems and human communities in the Magdalena River basin.

Environment Minister Irene Velez Torres announced the decision on April 13, 2026, stating that the measure is necessary to preserve the country’s native wildlife and protect villagers who encounter the animals on farms and in rivers in central Colombia.

Ecological and Safety Threats

Environmental experts have identified the hippopotamuses as a significant threat to fragile habitats. The large mammals displace native species and compete for food and habitat with endemic wildlife, specifically river manatees.

According to Minister Velez, the action is essential to protect the region’s ecosystems. The animals pose a direct danger to local residents, and their population has grown unchecked due to a total absence of natural predators in the region.

The hippos, which can weigh over four tonnes, have expanded their territory significantly. They have been spotted in areas more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the ranch where they were first introduced.

Origins of the Population

Colombia is currently the only country outside of Africa with a wild hippo population. The herd descends from four animals illegally imported in the 1980s by drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, a large ranch located in the Magdalena River valley.

Following the death of Escobar in 1993, the animals escaped the ranch and established themselves in the region. Research suggests that the lush environment of Colombia has allowed the hippos to breed particularly quickly.

A study published by Colombia’s National University estimated that approximately 170 hippos were roaming freely in 2022. Current estimates suggest there are now around 200 animals in the wild. The Environment Ministry warns that without intervention, the population could reach 1,000 by 2035.

Failed Control Measures

The decision to move forward with a cull follows several unsuccessful attempts to manage the population through non-lethal means. Authorities previously attempted to slow the growth of the herd through sterilization and the capture and relocation of animals to zoos.

Minister Velez stated that these alternative methods were either too expensive or proved ineffective in controlling the population growth.

Budget and Implementation

The government has allocated a budget of 7.2 billion pesos (€1.68 million) for the program. In addition to the authorized cull, proposed measures include the confinement and relocation of animals.

These measures are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. While the authorization for the cull has been granted, officials have not specified the exact date the hunting will commence.

Opposition from Welfare Groups

The plan has faced criticism from animal welfare activists who argue that the hippopotamuses deserve to live. These groups contend that using killing as a solution to the population problem sets a poor example for Colombia, a nation that has endured decades of internal conflict.

We must act to reduce the hippopotamus population

Irene Velez Torres, Environment Minister